Friday, 5 February 2016

Irish Water intensifying “bully-boy tactics” in run up to General Election - Cllr John Brady

Sinn Féin General Election Candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow Cllr John Brady has stated that Irish Water is intensifying its “bully-boy” tactics in an effort to coerce people into paying water charges in the run-up to the General Election.

Councillor Brady said;

“From speaking to people while canvassing in Wicklow, it is clear to me that Irish Water is intensifying its bully-boy tactics in an effort to increase payment rates ahead of the election.

“I spoke to a lady in Carnew yesterday who told me that she had received seven phone calls from Irish Water in the last week demanding payment. She is only one of many people who have shared similar experiences with me while I have been canvassing.

“It seems that there is a concerted effort being made by Irish Water to intimidate struggling families into paying the charges in order to gain some positive PR in the form of increased payment figures. They hope that this will allow the government to say that more and more people are accepting the deeply unfair water policy of Fine Gael and the Labour Party.

“This shameful attempt by Irish Water to construct some glossy publicity spin for their allies in government will backfire. It is bullying and harassment. It is causing severe distress for those who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“I am calling on Irish Water to cease with the persistent intimidation of those who have not paid. It will not be tolerated. The reality is that many people cannot afford these bills and many others are fundamentally opposed to domestic water charges.

“The solution is not to pressure people into paying. The solution, as demanded by the people of this state in protest after protest, is to scrap water charges and abolish Irish Water.

“A Sinn Féin-led government would deliver on these objectives and we have committed to holding a referendum to enshrine public ownership of water services in the constitution.

“These are guarantees that will form part of any programme for government involving Sinn Féin.”